Cyprus is an important destination for the UK travel industry.
One million British tourists visit each year, accounting for 45% of all visitors.
The Travel Foundation has been working in Cyprus for a number of years on various initiatives.
In 2012 we are working on a project that aims to 'green' Cyprus beaches, and demonstrate what a best practice beach would look like.
We've also worked with local hoteliers and the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative to encourage best practice in water and energy consumption and waste management. Most recently, we worked with Thomas Cook, in the resort areas of Paphos and Agia Napa on a plastic waste saving initiative.
Due to the number of jobs available in the popular coastal areas of Cyprus, the population of the villages and towns in the heart of Cyprus have been steadily declining as the younger generations leave in search of work.
The Travel Foundation's project, Discover the Real Cyprus, offers holidaymakers an opportunity to get away from the coast and visit the traditional and breathtakingly beautiful heart of the island. It also allows rural mountain communities to keep life in their villages, where previously the young had deserted for jobs by the coast ... and gives visitors a whole new experience of Cyprus.
In 2010, the Travel Foundation entered into a groundbreaking agreement with the Cyprus Tourism Organisation, and the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative- our first destination partnership agreement. We'll be working alongside the CTO and CSTI for the next 5 years, building on the work we've already done to green Cyprus.
Maria opened a restaurant because of the self-drive routes taking visitors in to the heart of Cyprus. Rural people can now make a living through tourism, and stay in their traditional villages…as well as offering visitors a whole new experience of an old favourite!